The Support Network

							The Support Network
Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
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Code of Ethics
All paid and volunteer staff of The Support Network (personnel) are motivated to
improve the quality of life in the community through the mission of the
organization.
Personnel serve the ideal of support through trust and value the privacy,
freedom of choice and interests of all those affected by their actions. They are
committed to the enhancement and preservation of volunteerism and hold
stewardship of these concepts as the overriding principle of their work in the
organization. They demonstrate ethical and professional conduct as they carry
out their duties on behalf of the organizational mission.
All personnel will aspire to:

    o   Act with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness and adherence to the
        absolute obligation to safeguard the public trust.
    o   The objectives of the Code of Ethics a re:
    o   To protect the privacy, dignity and rights of persons receiving services
        from, participating in or delivering programs of The Support Network.
    o   Inspire others through their own dedication to the highest standards and
        visions of the organization.
    o   Encourage colleagues to embrace and practice these ethical principles
        and standards of professionalism

Professional Conduct
Personnel will:

    o   strive to maintain and improve their competence, knowledge and skills so
        that their performance will better serve others.
    o   maintain knowledge and comply with all applicable laws, rules and
        regulations of any government, governmental agency, regulatory,
        accreditation or licensing agencies, or professional association governing
        the organization and/or their role.
    o   avoid even the appearance of participating or assisting in any violation of
        such laws, rules, or regulations.

Privacy and Confidentiality
Personnel will ensure the appropriate provisions are made in compliance with
the Privacy Act for the maintenance of the confidentiality in the storage,
retrieval, use, and ultimate disposal of records with personal information.
Representation
Personnel will not make any statements, orally or in writing, that misrepresent:

   o   The mission or philosophy of the organization
   o   The services that they or the organization are capable of performing
   o   Their qualifications or the qualifications of others in the organization

Personnel will not use their affiliation with the agency organization for purposes
that are not consonant with the mission and philosophy of the agency
organization .
Personnel associated with the promotion of the organization and its services will
ensure these are presented in a completely professional and factual manner.
Public Statements
All public statements, whether direct or indirect, will be accurate and free of
sensationalism, bias, distortion, or misrepresentation of any kind. Public
statements will be reviewed with the Executive Director.
In communication with the public, care will be taken to avoid the implication
that the agency organization or personnel endorse the purpose, method, or
quality of another agency organization, program, or service.
Relationships with Clients Receiving Service
Contact with clients will only be maintained in the context of agency
organization al programs and the services they provide.
Personnel will not provide services of The Support Network to their associates,
friends or family members except in the most unusual circumstances, and then
only in consultation with their supervisor.
Personnel shall not use their relationship with the client to promote his/her own
benefit or that of any other agency organization or service.
Professional Relations
The integrity, traditions and helping role of all professions and disciplines will be
acknowledged and respected, both in relations between disciplines and in
communication with clientele.
Remuneration/Conflict of Interest
It is the responsibility and obligation of all personnel to ensure that their private
interests do not conflict or appear to conflict with their duties and responsibilities
as employees.
If remuneration, other than gifts of nominal value, is received by an employee
while undertaking outside assignments for services related to the work of the
agency organization , such monies or gifts are payable to the agency
organization unless written consent is obtained from their employer and the
person for whom they undertake independent practice.
Ownership of Materials
All materials prepared by personnel in carrying out their regular duties in the
agency organization shall be the property of the agency organization. Release
or publication of such materials shall be governed by the established agency
organization policies.
Materials prepared by personnel, other than those materials resulting from their
regular duties, shall, if published, include a disclaimer of responsibility on the part
of the agency organization for the content of the published materials.
Research
Research will be conducted with meticulous attention to the well-being and
dignity of all participants. The design and methodology of clinical studies will
follow appropriate guidelines for research involving human subjects. Information
collected will be strictly confidential and comply with the Privacy Act.
Research for purposes other than clinical studies will be conducted with
appropriate ethical boundaries of confidentiality and professionalism.
Technology
Use of the organization's electronic network systems including the computer
network, internet, voice mail, electronic mail and printing equipment will be
appropriate to the employee's role with diligence in its ethical, legal and secure
usage.